Packing container for curved glass



Nov. 6, 1956 E. J. LIDGARD PACKING CONTAINER FOR CURVED GLASS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 12, 1954 INVENTOR.

Fem/A20 J. L/DAED BY d/wv M4 A TTOPNEVS Nov. 6, 1956 E. J. LIDGARD 2,769,534

PACKING CONTAINER FOR CURVED GLASS Filed July 12, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EDWARD J. L/oeA/eo fl w M .47 TOENEYS.

United States Patent PACKING CONTAINER ron crmvan GLASS Edward J. Lidgard, Royal Gak, Mich, assignor to Studebaker-Packard Corporation, a corporation of Michigan Application July 12, 1954, Serial No. 442,5ss

13 Claims. c1. 206-62) The present application relates to packing containers for frangible sheets and particularly to an improved shipping container containing a set of novel edge-cushioning members for suspending therein a four sided glass sheet windshield of the curved type having trapezoidally diagonal opposite ends and a body portion of warped or twisted curvature therebetween.

Shipping containers and cushioning packs formed of relatively inexpensive material, for instance, double-faced corrugated paperboard, for use in shipping flat plate glass or other frangible plates are well known and recognized in the art and, to a lesser degree, double faced paperboard containers for shipping curved glass sheets are also recognized and known. The disclosure of the present application comprehends a specialized container of refined design suited particularly to the shipment of curved glass sheets of complex curvature of which it is desirable to support the non-parallel glass edges of the opposite ends throughout their entire length and to support the adjacent included edges running lengthwise of the sheet along a We'll-defined row of a plurality of spacing or supported points.

An object of the invention is to provide, in a substantially rectangular shipping container for curved glass, a set of interposed opposite end packs of bipartite construction each having a pair of saddle forming tunnel portions presented by one of the two parts thereof for engaging and supporting the adjacent straight edge of the ends of the glass and having the other of the two parts formed with carton engaging tunnels for yieldingly thrusting against adjacent squared end wall of the container to absorb shocks tending to be transmitted to the glass. According to a feature of the invention, a set of intermediate bipartite edge spacing members is provided for spacing the curved, lengthwise extending, edges of the glass from the side walls of the container, each intermediate spacing member of which having a panel backing part and a tunnel forming lining part having a plurality of inwardly offset tunnels each receiving and supporting the glass edge at an'intermediate location throughout the expanse of the glass through the expedient of a diagonally transverse slot across the tunnel which is staggered in its relationship to the slot through at least one adjacent tunnel for accommodating the curvature of the glass. According to another feature, the previously noted end packs accommodate the non-parallelitivity of the straight edges of the glass end portions with respect to the square ends of the container 'by reason of the characteristic of a varying set 'of progressive heights formed on the carton engaging tunnels thereof just considered.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cushioning or spacer pack for the interior of glass containers wherein a two-part construction is employed to produce a glass engaging inner part presenting a plurality of cardboard tunnels to lend twist rigidity to the construction and an outer backing part to impart some resistance to bend of the pack which is particularly desirable during 'ice 2 handling of the pack in installing the same in the container. According to a feature of at least one pack hereof, namely, the end pack, the backing part or panel also incorporates tunnels which extend transversely to the axes of the tunnels of the inner part and which thereby provide a deep twist resistant and bend resistant section to the end pack during handling and other usage.

A further object is the provision of a pair of opposite end packs for the ends of a shipping container for curved glass, each having a rigidifying container engaging outer panel part and an inner panel part folded to define a glass pocket forming saddle straddled by a pair of tunnels of three sided and four sided construction respectively. The latter, or four-sided tunnel is unjoined together at its side adjacent the three sided tunnel .and saddle and in terms of theoretical mechanics forms a loose jointed chain, so to speak, so as to render the saddle and three sided tunnel shifta'ble in cross section therewith to adjust the pocket to receive glass edges forming a plurality of different entrance angles. Therefore the end packs are of general utility for receiving glass of varying over-all curvature through an assorted range of Windshields.

Further features, objects and advantages will either be specifically pointed out or become apparent when for a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following written description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure '1 is a perspective view of a set of curved glass shipping packs adapted to be confined within a shipping carton appearing in solid lines in the background.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the end packs appearing in :Figure 1 suited for one of the opposite ends of a piece of curved glass.

Figures 3 and 4 are face and side views of the end pack of Figure 2; and,

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are sequential end views of the pack of Figure 2 showing variously adjusted positions of the same adapting it for receiving glass edges from differing angles. 7

In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings a shipping container assembly '10 is shown for use in packaging for shipment a glass sheet windshield or the like indicated diagrammatically at 12. The glass sheet 12 is curved and has a laminated safety glass construction having its opposite end portions 14 terminating in generally trapezoidally diagonally related edges 16. The curvature of the glass sheet 12 is somewhat complex due primarily to the fact that the radius of glass curvature is more drastic, that is smaller, at the end portions 1 in comparison to the curvature of a mid-portion 18 forming the body of the glass therebetween and due additionally to a built-in warp or twist which is superimposed upon the normal curvature and becomes more exaggerated or severe .in the area of the more drastically curving end portions 14. The curved glass windshield 12 is adapted to be cushioned and suspended within a paperboard carton indicated by the solid line showing 2% in Figure l and also indicated merely diagrammatically by the dotted line showing 29 in Figure l. The paperboard carton 2b is preferably formed of corrugated paper board double faced with kraft paper and having .a rectangular construc tion which in strict terms of geometry forms a rectangular parallelepiped. Thus the carton 29 has a pair of front and rear side walls 21, 22, a pair of opposite ends walls 24, 26 and a bottom and a top wall 28, 30 of which any two adjacent walls are square or normal with respect to one another. The top '36 is actually formed 'by one pair of end flaps 32 which are continuations of the end walls 24, 26 and by another pair of side flaps 34 which are continuations of the front and rear sides '21, 22. The end flaps 32 and the side flaps 34 are folded and secured together as by glue or staples to form a continuous c 3 x top 39 after the carton 20has been filled. An upper and a lower edge cushioning spacer member or pack respectively indicated at 36, 38 are arranged between the top, bottom and side walls of the container 20 for engaging the curved edges extending lengthwise of the" curved glass sheet 12. The upper and'lower packs 3'6, 38 are very similar in construction and in the interests of brevity only they lower edge spacer pack 38 is hereinafter described in detail.

Thelower spacer pack 38 is of a bipartite construction and is formed of corrugated board preferably double faced with brown kraft paper. An outer panel backing part 40 formed'of the corrugated'board is arranged such that the corrugations, not shown, extend lengthwise thereof so as to impart a slight rigidity to bending, to

. maintain the backing part 40 substantially flat in a single plane and the backing part 40 is permanently affixed to an inner or lining part 42 as by a plurality of staples forming stitches 43 located at spaced apart positions on the parts mutually secured together thereby. The inner panel part 42 is of one piece cardboard construction of which the corrugations, not shown, extend generally lengthwise thereof and in which a plurality of transverse perforated lines there across form fold'lines for the provision of a plurality of inwardly directed spaced apart tunnels 44 of rectangular cross section which are inwardly offset by their long dimension from their outer panel or backing part 40. In its lengthwise direction each tunnel 44 has a pair of parallel spaced apart. walls 46 which are joined together integrally at their inner upper ends by a base or inner portion 48 whose junction line therewith falls along perforated fold line of the character previously noted. The group of rectangular or four-sided tunnels 44 acts in the direction of each tunnel axis as an edge spacer device for the curved edge of the glass '18 and for this purpose each tunnel 44 is provided with a diagonally transverse slot 59 cut therein and disposed in staggered relationship to. the other slots to receive and conform to the curvature of the lower curved edge of the glass windshield 12.. It is to'be noted that in the general case of a tunnel 44, the diagonally transverse slot 50 intersects each of the parallel walls 46 at transversely misaligned locations therealong and cuts. across the inner base portion 48 ata diagonal angle with respect to the axis of the tunnel which may be in excess of approximately 15" depending upon the particular radius of curvature of the glass 'edge portion received therein. The upper edge cushioning pack or'spacer member 36 is similar to the lower pack 38 except perhaps as to the exact location of the slots 50 which must necessarily conform to the curvature of the particular glass edge received therein and in the usual case, the upper and lower curved edgesof the windshield 12 will differ somewhat in corresponding locations.

Between the outer or backing panel of the upper spacer member 36 and the top 30 of the carton 20, a paperboard filler member 52 may be provided to contribute to the desired suspended relationship of the glass 12 with respect'to the walls of the carton 20. The filler 52 con sists chiefly of a scored and folded piece of corrugated board having a base portion 54 and being folded in a manner such that the outer end portions thereof form loops and close on themselves at their extremities soas' to 'form a pair of back to back transverse panels '56 generally lending a B configuration to the filler. As such, a resulting closed loop 58 is disposed at each side of the back panel extremities 56 and within each loop a'three sided or triangular tube 60 isinserted throughout the length of the loop to impart'a rigidity of slightly yieldable properties thereto. V a Arranged between the top, bottom and end walls of the carton 2i) and engaging the opposite edges and end portions 16, 14 of the windshield 12 a pair of left and right end packs or edge cushioning packs '62 and 64 is provided symmetrically speaking, the opposite end packs 62, 64 are duplicates of one another and in the interests of brevity only the'left hand end pack 62 is specifically described and shown in Figure 2 and particularly in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The end pack 62 is of bipartite construction formed of a corrugated board construction double faced with brown kraft paper. An inner glass engaging part of the end pack 62 has a main flat panel portion 66 and a scored and multiple folded portion defining a saddle 68 bounded at the sides by a pyramidally shaped tunnel 70 and a four-sided tunnel 72-which terminates in a reversely bent and folded under'end-fiap 74$ The saddle 68 is so includedbetween the tunnels 70 and 72 as to provide a pocket 76 for receiving'the extreme edge 16 and at least a portion of the adjacent end 14 of the curved glass windshield 12. 'The cardboard construction of a glass engaginginner part ofthe bipartite end pack 62 is such that the corrugations, not shown, are disposed transversely with respect to the scored lines which provide the tunnels 70 and'72; Aflixed back'to backto the inner part as by a plurality of space apart stamped stitches 76, a backing cushioning part is provided having a plurality of panels 78 separate by a plurality of pyramidal tunnels 80 formed from. scored fold lines therein.

The stitches 76 formed by individual staples are so dis: 7

78 of the outer part which latter occupy a single plane.

with the result that thetunnels 70, 72 of the inner part are inwardly offset from the common plane defined by the tunnel flap 74 and of the main panel portion 66 thereof. I

It will be noted, particularly from Figure 4, that the carton end wall 24 and bottom 28 which are square to one another are so arranged that the inner panel part of the end pack 62 is inclined inwardly therefrom by testing diagonally normal to the bottom wall 28 of the carton 20. The reason for such inclination is the' fact of the trape'zoidally diagonally inclination of edge 16 of the glass end portion and it is desirable that the pocket forming saddle 68 conform pretty generally to and preferably in juxtaposition to the edge 16 of the glass, Accordingly, the pyramidal tunnels 80 mutually defined by the inner and outer parts ofthe bipartite end pack 62 vary progressively in .height in going from bottom to top of the carton, and in one physically constructed embodiment of the invention, the tunnels were three in number,of

which the lowermost and lowesttunnel 80 was approximately 1 in height, the medium sized middle tunnel 80 was 2" in height, and the upper-most, tallest tunnel was approximately 3 in height. I

'The corrugations, not shown, for the carton engaging outer part are preferably disposed transversely to the scored folded lines forming the just noted tunnels 80,

In view of the fact that the tunnel flap 74 and the main resistance to bend along aline parallel to the axes of the tunnels. On the other hand the direction of the axes of the tunnels 70 and 72 of the inner part is transverse to the .axes of the tunnels 80 so as to provide a resistance to bending for the body of the end filler pack 62 in the 7,

direction of the axes of the. tunnels 72, and also the mutually transverse tunnels 80 by. reason of their offset in an opposite direction from the'planes; of the panels.

78.and"66fimpart a deep sectioned rigidity to the pack 62 which thus has freedom from twist in either of the mutually transverse directions, that is to say, two-way deep sectioned rigidity Another aspect 'of thism'utual transversity of the tunnels 80 and 70, .72 is that it renders the end packs 62 inherently resistant in both directions to a two-way stretch, or 'in other words, resistant to a lateral flattening which would occur if the opposite sides of any one tunnel were able to be relatively' separated too far. Inasmuch as the tunnel 72 on the inner panel part of the pack 62 is of four-sided construction unjoined at the edge thereof adjacent the saddle 68 and the triangular tunnel 70, a construction results which in terms of theoretical mechanics is a loose jointed chain. This resulting loose joint as it were prevents the three-sided tunnel 70 complemented by the panels 78 of the outer part from being a structurally locked tunnel as are the infiexibly rigid counterpart members 80 on the outer part Which engage the end wall 28 of the carton 20.

The flexibility of cross section of the tunnel 72 is particularly brought out in the sequential Figures 5, 6 and 7. Thus in Figure 5 the four-sided tunnel 72 is so arranged that an inner corner 82 of the saddle 68 adjacent the three-sided tunnel 78 engages the panels 78 at a step or notch defined therealong by means of the extreme edge of the tunnel flap 74 stitched to the panels 78. The thus secured inner corner 82 is firmly held in place against the notch formed by the step 74 due to the pressure from an outer end portion 14A of a moderately curved piece of glass windshield 12A. In Figure 6, the inner corner 82 of the saddle 68 adjacent the three-sided tunnel 7t rests against an intermediate portion of the side of the tunnel flap 74 such that the saddle defining pocket 76 can receive the outer end portion 14b of a much more drastically curved piece of glass windshild 1212. In such instances the tunnel 72 is drawn into rather compact dimensions and the outer two unjoined sides there of over-lap one within the other. In Figure 7, the four-sided tunnel 72 is not so compacted but is in an expanded condition such that the inner corner 82 of the saddle 68 adjacent the three-sided tunnel 70 engages the panel portions 78 of the outer part at a location spaced apart from the extreme edge of the tunnel flap 74 and the latter engages an intermediate portion of the saddle 68. Accordingly the angularity of the glass receiving pocket 76 in Figure 7 is such as to accommodate a glass end portion 14c having only a gradual or large radius of curvature at the end of a piece of curved glass 120.

It will be duly appreciated that the symmetrical left and right end packs 62, 64 are of general application for glass Windshields of a varying assortment of curvature and that the tunnels 7t 72 on their inner parts may be adjusted by hand to accommodate the opposite end portions of any curved glass piece under a wide range of windshield types. The resulting three-sided and four-sided box sections produced by the glass engaging tunnels 70, 72 of the inner part of the bipartite pack 62 lends desired struc tural rigidity to the pack 62 and particularly so in conjunction with the transversely extending triangularly sectioned tunnels 80 formed integrally on the outer part thereof. it will be further noted tht the geometry of the end packs 62, 64 is desirably held within reasonable limitations such that the peaks or apexes of the varying height triangular tunnels 8b are disposed in a common plane conforming generally to the plane of the respective nor mal or square ends 24, 26 of the carton 29 as appropriate.

As herein disclosed the material selected for the present embodiment of the invention is described as being a corrugated board type of paperboard which is commercially double faced with brown kraft paper. It is evident that fiber board and other soft face compositions of board may be used to equal advantage. So also the drawing shows metal type staples which stick the paperboard panels together to form self-secure packs, but self-evidently the panels may be aflixed back to back by other means such as by thread stitches, glue or a combination of both. The carton engaging tunnels on the outer panel of the end packs are shown to be three in number and of a progressive height from bottom to top from one end of the outer panel part to the other but indeed it is not essential that these yieldable carton engaging tunnels be limited to three in number and they may desirably be of progressively decreasing height from bottom to top or of a varying height which in the broad sense will readily correspond to together pieces of "6 the angularity of the glass edges with respect to the squared walls of the carton in which the glass is shipped. 7 Variations within the spirit and scope of the invention described are equally comprehended by the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:

1. In a packing container in combination with a curved frangible sheet or the like, a substantially rectangular carton having top and bottom and side and end walls receiving the frangible sheet therewithin, bipartite end packs arranged between the top, bottom and end walls of the carton and engaging opposite ends of the frangible sheet throughout the entire length thereof, each of said bipartite end packs comprising an inner paperboard part having a main fiat panel portion and an indented and folded sheet engaging saddle portion integral therewith and defined between a pair of spaced apart paperboard tunnels inwardly offset from the plane of the main panel portion, and an outer paperboard part stitched back to back respectively to the main panel portion and to a flap on one tunnel of the inner part and indented and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart yieldable tunnels each engaging the adjacent end of the carton, the axes of the tunnels of each part extending transversely to the axes of the other for cooperatively establishing a two-way rigidity against collapse of the pack, and bipartite edge spacer members arranged between the top, bottom and side walls of the carton and engaging the curved edges of the frangible sheet, each of said bipartite edge spacer members comprising an outer paperboard fiat panel part and an inner paperboard part stitched back to back to the panel part and scored and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart tunnels extending transversely with respect to the length of and being inwardly off set from the plane of the panel part, said last named tunnels being of rectangular cross section and having the parallel walls and inner ends thereof provided with diagonally transverse slots disposed in staggered realtionship to receive and conform to the curvature of the curved edges of the frangible sheet.

2. In a packing container in combination with a curved frangible sheet or the like, a substantially rectangular carton having top and bottom and side and end walls receiving the frangible sheet therewithin, a bipartite end pack arranged between the top, bottom and end walls of the carton and engaging opposite ends of the frangible sheet throughout the entire length thereof, each of said bipartite end packs comprising an inner paper part having a main fiat panel portion and an indented and folded sheet engaging saddle portion integral therewith defined between a pair of spaced apart paper tunnels inwardly offset from the plane of the main panel portion and an outer paper part affixed back to back to the inner part and indented and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart yieldable tunnels each engaging the adjacent end of the carton, the axis of the tunnels of each part extending transversely to the axis of the other for cooperatively establishing a twoway rigidity against collapse of the pack, and bipartite edge spacer members arranged between the top, bottom and side walls of the carton and engaging the curved edges of t. e frangioie sheet, each of of said bipartite edge spacer members comprising an outer fiat panel paper part and an inner paper part afixed back to back to the panel part and scored and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart tunnels extending transversely with respect to the length of and being inwardly offset from the plane of the panel part, said last named tunnels being of block cross section and having the parallel walls and inner ends provided with diagonally transverse slots disposed in staggered relationship to receive and conform to the curvature of the curved edges of the frangible sheet.

3. A cushioning edge packing member for a curved glass windshield packing container of the character described comprising first and second permanently secured paper-like board, said first piece of the axis of its respective tunnel.

7 paper-like board having a main flat panel portion and an indented and folded glass engaging saddle portion integral therewith defined by spaced apart paper-like board tunnels inwardly offset from the plane of the main panel portion, and an outer paper-like board piece affixed back to back'respectively to the main panel portion and to a flap along one side of a tunnel of the inner part and indented and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart triangular tunnels of progressively greater height from one side of the paper-like board part to the other for engaging the adjacent wall of the container, the axes of the tunnels of each piece extending transversely to the axes of the other for cooperatively establishing a two .way rigidity against collapse of the packing member.

4. A cushioning edge packing member for a curved glass windshield packing container of the character described comprising first and second permanently secured together pieces of board, said first piece of board having a main flat panel portion and a folded glass engaging saddle portion integral therewith defined by an adjacent pair of three-sided and four-sided tunnels respectively inwardly oflfset from the plane of the main panel portion, and an outer board piece stitched back to back respectively to the main panel portion and to a flap along one side of a tunnel of the inner part and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart tunnels of progressively greater height from one side of the board piece to the other for engaging the adjacent wall of the container, the axes of the tunnels of each part extending transversely to the axes of the other for cooperatively establishing a twoway rigidity against collapse of the packing member.

5. In a packing container, in combination with a curved glass sheet, an edge spacing member for the curved edge of the glass sheet received in the container, said edge spacing member being of a bipartite construction comprising an outer paper board flat panel part and an inner paper board part stitched back to back to the panel part and scored and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart tunnels extending transversely with respect to the length of the fiat panel and being inwardly ofiset-from the plane of the latter, said tunnels being of substantially rectangular cross section and having their parallel walls and inner end of each provided with diagonally transverse slots disposed in staggered relationship in sequence to one another, and receiving and conforming to the curvature of the curved edges of the glass sheet.

6. In a packing container, in combination with a curved glass sheet, an edge spacing member for the curved edge of the glass sheet received in the container, said edge spacing member being of a bipartite construction comprising an outer paper board flat panel part and an inner paper board part affixed back to back to the panel part and scored and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart tunnels extending transversely with respect to the length of the flat panel part and being inwardly offset from the plane of the latter, said tunnels being of substantially rectangular cross section and having their parallel walls and inner ends provided with diagonally transverse slots disposed in staggered relationship and receiving and conforming to the curvature of the curved edges of the glass sheet, the angularity of at least one of said diagonally transverse slots being. approximately with respect to 7. Insert means for a rectangular parallelepiped shaped container for packing a curved glass sheet or the like for shipment therewithin, and in combination with the curved glass sheet, pairs of opposite bipartite edged cushioning members whereof the members of one pair engage the opposite ends of the curved glass sheet and each comprises an inner paper board part having a main panel portion and a folded sheet engaging saddle portion integral therewith defined by spaced apart paper board tunnels inwardly offset from the plane of the main panel portion, and an outer paper board part afiixed back to back respectively to the main panel portion and to a flap integral with one tunnel of the inner part and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart yieldable tunnels for engaging the container, the axes of thetunnels of each part extending transversely to the axes of the other for coperatively establishing a two-way rigidity against collapse. of the members of one pair of the edge'cushioning members, the members of the other pair of edge cushioning members engagingthe curved edges of the curved glass sheet and each comprising an outer paper board flat panel part and an inner paper board part afiixed back to back to the panel part and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart tunnels extending transversely with respect to the length of and being inwardly offset from the plane of the last named panel part, said last named tunnels being of substantially rectangular cross section and. having their parallel walls and inner ends provided with diagonally transverse slots disposed in staggered relationship to one another and receiving and conforming to the curvature of the curved edge of the curved glass sheet. 7

8. Insert means for a rectangular parallelepiped shaped container for packing a curved glass sheet or the like for shipment therewithin, and in combination with the a curved glass sheet, pairs of opposite bipartite edge cushioning members whereof the members of one pair engage the opposite ends of the curved glass sheet and each comprises an inner corrugated board part having a main panel portion and a folded, sheet engaging saddle portion integral therewith defined by spaced apart corrugated board tunnels inwardly offset from the plane of the main panel portion, and an outer corrugated board part atiixed back to back to the inner part and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart yieldable tunnels each for engaging the container, the axes ofthe tunnels of each part extendingtransversely to the axes of the other for cooperatively establishing a two-way rigidity against collapse of the.

member of the said one pair of the edge cushioning members, the members of the other pair engaging the curved edges of the curved glass sheet and each comprising an outer corrugated board fiat panel part and an inner corrugated board part afiixed back to back to the panel part and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart tunnels extending transversely with respect to the length of and being inwardly offset from the plane of the last named panel part, said last named tunnels being substantially rectangular in cross section and having their parallel walls and inner ends provided with diagonally transverse slots disposed in staggered relationship to one another receiving and conforming to the curvature of the curved edge of the curved glass sheet.

9. A curved windshield shipping means adapted to be inserted within an enclosing container for supporting the windshield in a substantially suspended relationship away from direct contact with the walls of the container, comprising, in combination with a curved glass sheet forming the curved windshield, bipartite end packs direct-.

ly engaging opposite ends of the glass sheet through the entire length thereof, each of said bipartite end packs comprising an inner paperboard part having a main flat panel portion and an angularly adjustable sheet engaging saddle portion integral therewith and defined by spaced apart paperboard tunnels inwardly, oifset from the plane of the main panel portion, said tunnels being of a respective three-sided and four-sided configuration and subject to perceptible adjustment to conform to the angularly adjustable position of the saddle portion included therebetween, and an outer paperboard part secured back to back respectively to the main panel part and to a flap on one tunnel of the inner part and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart yieldable triangular tunnels for engaging the adjacent wall of ,the package, the axes of the tunnels of each part extending transversely to the axes of the other for cooperatively establishing a twoway rigidity against collapse of the end package, and bipartite edge spacer members directly engaging the curved edges of the glass sheet, each of said bipartite edge spacer members comprising an outer paperboard fiat panel part and an inner paperboard part afiixed thereto back to back and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart tunnels extending transversely with respect to the length of the panel part and being inwardly offset from the plane thereof, said latter tunnels being of generally rectangular cross section and having their parallel walls and inner ends provided with diagonally transverse slots disposed in staggered relationship and receiving and conforming to the curvature of the curved edges of the curved glass sheet.

10. A curved windshield shipping means adapted to be inserted within an enclosing container for supporting the windshield in a substantially suspended relationship away from direct contact with the walls of the container, comprising in combination with a curved glass sheet forming the curved windshield, bipartite end packs directly engaging opposite ends of the glass sheet throughout the entire length thereof, each of said bipartite end packs comprising an inner paper board part having a main flat panel portion and an angularly adjustable sheet engaging saddle portion integral therewith and defined by spaced apart paper board inwardly ofiset from the plane of the main panel portion, the configuration of said tunnels being generally triangular and subject to perceptible adjustment conforming to the angularly adjustable portion of the saddle portion included therebetween, and an outer paper board part secured back to back to the inner part and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart yieldable triangular tunnels for engaging the adjacent wall of the package, the axes of the tunnels of each part extending transversely to the axes of the tunnels of the other for cooperatively establishing a two-way rigidity against collapse of the end package, and bipartite edge spacer members directly engaging the curved edges of the glass sheet, each of said bipartite edge spacer members comprising an outer paper board flat panel part and and inner paper board part afiixed thereto back to back and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart tunnels extending transversely with respect to the length of the panel part and being inwardly offset from the plane thereof, said latter tunnels being of generally rectangular cross section and having their parallel Walls and inner ends provided with diagonally transverse slots disposed in staggered relationship to one another and receiving and conforming to the curvature of the curved edges of the curved glass sheet.

11. In combination with a curved glass windshield shipping means of the character described, first and second bipartite edge cushioning members for at least one of the opposite ends of the glass and an adjacent curved edge thereof respectively, said first member comprising an inner paper board part having a main fiat panel portion and an angularly adjustable sheet engaging saddle portion integral therewith and defined by spaced apart paper board tunnels inwardly offset from the plane of the main panel portion, the configuration of said tunnels respectively being generally triangular and four-sided in cross section and having adjusted positions to accommodate the angular adjutment aforesaid of the sheet engaging saddle portion, and an outer paper board part stapled back to back to the inner part and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart triangular tunnels of progressively varying heights from one end to the other of the main panel part for yieldably engaging the adjacent wall of the shipping package, said second member comprising an outer paper board fiat panel part and an inner paper board part stapled back to back to the panel part and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart tunnels extending transversely with respect to the length of and being inwardly offset from the plane of the panel part, said last named tunnels having their walls and inner ends provided with diagonally transverse slots disposed in staggered relationship to receive and conform to the curved edges of the curved glass windshield.

12. In combination with a curved glass Windshield shipping insert for a package of the character described, first and second bipartite edge cushioning members for at least one of the opposite end portions of the glass and an adjacent curved edge thereof respectively, said first member comprising an inner paper board part having a main flat panel portion and an angularly adjustable sheet engaging saddle portion integral therewith and defined by spaced apart paper board tunnels inwardly offset from the plane of the main panel portion, the configuration of said tunnels being of a different number of sides in cross section and having adjusted positions to accommodate the angular adjustment aforesaid of the sheet engaging saddle portion, and an outer paper board part stapled back to back to the inner part and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart yieldable triangular tunnels of increasing height from one end to the other of the main panel portion for engaging and conforming to the adjacent wall of the shipping package, said second member comprising an outer paper board flat panel part and an inner paper board part stapled back to back to the panel part and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart tunels extending transversely with respect to the length of and being inwardly offset from the plane of the panel part, said last named tunnels having their walls and inner ends provided with diagonally transverse slots disposed in staggered relationship to receive and conform successively to the curved edges of the curved glass windshield.

13. A cushioning edge packing member for a curved glass windshield packing container of the character described, comprising first and second permanently secured together pieces of paper-like board, said first piece of paper-like board having a main flat panel portion and an indented and folded glass engaging saddle portion integral therewith defined by spaced apart paper-like board tunnels inwardly offset from the plane of the main panel portion, and an outer paper-like board piece afiixed back to back respectively to the main panel portion and to a flap along one side of a tunnel of the inner part and indented and folded to define a plurality of spaced apart triangular tunnels, the axis of the tunnels of each piece extending transversely to the axis of the other for cooperatively establishing a two-way rigidity against collapse of the backing member.

References Cited in the file of this patent IINITED STATES PATENTS 1,453,071 Kleeman Apr. 24, 1923 2,319,966 Wood et a1 May 25, 1943 2,603,349 Van Antwerpen July 15, 1952 2,665,804 Koester Jan. 12, 1954 

